Marvin Lee Curtiss

Marvin Lee Curtiss, (Lee) was born in Globe, Arizona on October 11, 1944, the youngest of three children. At age three, the family moved to the Rim Country of Arizona. Growing up in the forest, surrounded by nature, was a child's paradise. Playing at his Grand uncle's ranch was a magical bonus. There were horses, bloodhounds, cows and lots of creatures, plus a beautiful creek meandering at the bottom of a grass covered pasture. This is where Lee developed his love of the outdoors and adventurous spirit. Whenever adventure beckoned, Lee answered the call, many times with unsuspected outcomes, and the resulting scrapes and bruises, broken bones and parental consternation.

The family moved to Santa Cruz, California in 1954, where he discovered a new world to explore, the beach, the ocean, the mountains, in a perfect little jewel of a city, where kids could roam freely, safely, always finding something of interest to do. He often commented that at first, it was like moving to an alien planet.

Lee graduated from Santa Cruz high school and Cabrillo College where he played football and made lifelong friends.

In the following decades, He was blessed with three sons, Sean, Patrick and Nathan. As a dad, he was something of a legend, racing motorcycles, and anything else capable of speeds over 100 MPH. He loved the outdoors and anything that took him out there, skiing, fishing, hiking, biking, water skiing, and any other sport that would fill that sense of freedom and adventure that he pursued with a passion.

In 1984, Lee met the woman who would change his life. He and Cathleen married in 1986 and started the journey that would build thousands of happy memories.

He had a successful career with NEC that spanned over two decades, ending in his retirement as regional manager in Newport Beach, California. Upon his retirement, they decided to exit the fast lane and seek a quieter, more fulfilling life in McCall, Idaho, a veritable Eden. It was everything Lee had hoped for, a beautiful new home, great friends and neighbors and the chance to pursue the things he loved most, fishing, skiing and anything outdoors, right in his front yard.

The three things Lee treasured most, were a supportive loving wife, his children and grandchildren and serving his country as a Marine.

Lee is survived by his beloved wife, Cathleen, his three children, Sean (Tracy), Patrick (Christina), Nathan (Marla) and his grandchildren, Melissa, Jamison, Ashley, Alex, Brooklyn and Kingston.

He is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law Carol and Mark Pista, of Watsonville, California, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law John and Caren Raisin of Newport Beach, California and many treasured nephews and nieces.

To his steadfast friends, I think he would simply say, "You were the best, and thanks for always being there."

God grant him eternal peace and joy. May his memory be a blessing.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, July 9, 2026 at 1:30 p.m. in Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 501 Cross Rd., McCall, Idaho 83638 with Rev. Bradley Neely and Deacon Derek Williamson officiating. Military Funeral Honors will be provided by the U.S. Marine Corps Funeral Honor Guard and the American Legion Post 119 of McCall, Idaho.

Online condolences may be left at www.mccallfunerals.com

Arrangements in care of McCall Funeral Home.